When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or unappealing aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Paniccia Heating & Cooling, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Michigan City.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this issue, it’s important to have a quality service tech inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It’s also important to exchange the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it might be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Michigan City.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Paniccia Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling experts at Paniccia Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Michigan City!